Irish centre-right parties close in on deal for new coalition government

15/1/2025 7:07

Ireland's two dominant centre-right political parties are close to finalising a coalition deal with independent lawmakers to return to power for another five-year term, two lawmakers said on Tuesday.



Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, who were the largest members of the outgoing coalition, have been in talks since they fell just one seat short in a Nov. 29 election of the 87 needed to govern.



Some Irish media reported that a deal had been done between the two parties and independent lawmakers. But senior Fine Gael lawmaker Peter Burke told RTE radio that talks had not yet concluded, though a programme for government "should be published within the next 24 hours".